Talan David. You’re graduating 8th grade today. You’re about to close a chapter and start a new one. An exciting one. A trying one. One full of growth. We are all starting this new chapter with you. When people say the days are long but the years are short, they aren’t lying. It’s like I blinked and here we are! And when I say I’m feeling all the feels, I’m feeling ALLLLLL the feels.
I can still smell the air of that beautiful week we had in May, leading up to your birth. I can still remember how teeny tiny you were at only 5lbs, 5oz, and the nurses looking at each other and whispering, wondering why you were so little for a full term baby. I can still remember how quiet you were, not letting out one cry when you were born. (Side Note: Having a small baby that’s full term + not making a peep = worried Grandparents that didn’t let us know their worries and new parents not having any worries at all because this was our first rodeo! Ha!) Little did I know, that with all of you kids, the way you came into this world and had these little personalities that we didn’t know yet, is exactly how each of you have been your entire, short, lives. When Gramps finally heard you let out a cry, he cheered! He cheered after you did anything, really. But your first little cries were such a big deal that he recorded your cry and made it his ringtone on his phone. You were the most precious little boy to all of us.
When Gramps would cheer when you would enter a room, I made jokes that we were going to give you a complex and make you think you’re the greatest thing in the world whenever you would enter a room as you grew up. And then be let down, because you really aren’t that important to everyone. But that might be your first lesson in life. You are important to us, more than you will ever be able to comprehend. But you won’t be for everyone. And that is OKAY. Find your tribe, and hold onto them.
You’re going to learn a lot of great lessons, and some not so great ones. You may not do that great on a test or miss an assignment. But just like what you are already so good at, learn from those mistakes, see what you could have done better, and move on. We don’t expect perfection from you, and you shouldn’t expect perfection from yourself either. Just do your best and use your God-given talents and smarts. You will be just fine! But please remember, Mom and Dad are learning too, and we will make mistakes alongside with you.
Your siblings. Don’t forget about your siblings. The three of us are going to learn more than ever about letting go and giving you a little more independence. It may seem tricky to juggle it all. But don’t forget about your siblings.
Grayson. Take time to play soccer with Grayson or come to one of his games every now and then. He looks up to you like non other. That feeling a younger sibling gets when their older, cool, high school sibling shows up to their sporting event is like non other. It’s a feeling you’ll never get to experience because you are the oldest. But trust your Mom when I say, it will mean the world to him.
Kylan. He’s going to think it’s the COOLEST thing EVER to have a brother in a big high school. He’s going to have questions and be curious. Take the time to talk to him about what you’re doing. Introduce him to your buddies. Let him tag along to a sporting event at least once. He’ll talk about it for days. It may seem little, and probably a little annoying to you, but it will be big to him!
Isla. She’s going to need her protector and 3rd disciplinarian. She’s going to crave that from you more and more as she gets older. I never had an older brother, or three, but the girlfriends I had in High School who had an older brother, adored that relationship. The ones who didn’t have an older brother, always wanted one. Continue to get under her skin and be competitive with her. Deep down, she loves it and will miss it terribly if it goes away.
Don’t forget where you came from. Don’t forget all that you’ve learned in religion class, Confirmation, your Apologetics class, and church. And when you don’t know where to turn, always remember to turn to Him. I know you know, God will get you through everything. Even if there are some not so fun lessons along the way. Continue to lean on Him.
Have fun. Our mellow, wise beyond his years, quiet, sarcastic and sweet son…have fun! Your High School years are supposed to be some of the greatest years of your adolescence. Get involved and make the most out of these next 4 years. They go by fast!
Don’t forget your Mama. Okay, and your Dad. There may be times when we drive you crazy and we are the last ones you want to talk to. But always remember, we’ll be here for you. Always. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it a million times over, I’ll always be your #1 fan.
Get On The Right Bus. I showed you a video Grandma Jane sent me to show you about getting on the right bus. And you might hear me refer back to this quite often. This is all new to Dad and I, as it is for you. And as your mom, who loves you deeply, I want you to remember to get on the right bus. The reel said this, “This is the bus you’re going to drive for the rest of your life. Only put good people on your bus, and only get on a bus that’s driven by a good person. You’ll never accomplish what you want by doing it alone. But you’ll accomplish a heck of a lot more, doing it with great people.”
As Dad said the other night, your world is going to get a lot bigger. You’re going to be exposed to more then you’ve ever been exposed to before. So make sure you let good people on your bus. And make sure you stay true to who YOU are, and be a good person to others.
Get on the right bus.
Lastly, always remember: I Love You. I’m Proud of You. And Mama knows best. ♥️
~XOXO
Living With Intention and Giving Myself Grace 